The Middletown Planning Commission on Wednesday recommended approval of the final plat for the Havenwood planned development, a major subdivision that will create 49 parcels including 47 residential lots, one open‑space parcel and one future commercial outlot.
City staff said the approved final development plan (approved April 10, 2024) established minimum lot widths and depths, setbacks, and other form standards that the proposed final plat follows. The plat covers just over eight acres: staff reported roughly 2.5 acres for dwelling parcels, about 3.5 acres of open space, and just under 2 acres for a commercial outlot. The plat also establishes three private streets (Forest Haven Drive, Oakshade Lane and Juniper Crest Road) and identifies a 100‑year drainage route between Lots 16 and 17.
Mahali Sostakis of Baer Becker, representing the developer, said the development is under construction and “they plan to have it done by August, September time frame,” and that builders expect homes to be constructed shortly after. Sostakis told the commission there had been no issues with streams or neighbors during construction to date.
A commissioner raised concerns about recent regional flooding events and proximity to mapped waterways; city staff responded that no buildings are proposed inside the FEMA‑mapped flood zone and that the proposed construction lies outside the 0.2% annual chance flood hazard noted on the plat. Staff stated, “There is no construction in the floodplain proposed,” and reminded commissioners that adherence to floodplain and permitting rules is required to preserve the city’s status in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Staff noted fire‑department comments and other departmental conditions recorded on the plat: no structure, such as a dumpster, shall be placed within the intersection of Forest Haven Drive and Juniper Crest Road, and the developer must not block the 100‑year drainage route between Lots 16 and 17. The final plat must be adopted and endorsed by City Council before recording.
The Planning Commission moved and seconded approval and recorded unanimous “yes” votes from Will Parsons, AJ Mentel, Gabe Gabriel Schanlein, Nancy Griffith, Roger Daniel and Tara Ramsey. The commission’s approval is a recommendation to City Council; Council adoption is required before the plat can be recorded and construction may proceed under city approvals.